Dawkins and Tyson Claim Agnosticism

Following on the heels of my most recent post, “Aligning Atheism”, Big Think has posted its own page, featuring a video from Neil deGrasse Tyson, on the same topic. I agree with Tyson but will keep the atheist label because I actually DO want to be “in your face” about the ills of religion and the Abrahamic God. Here’s the video’s introductory blurb from Big Think, followed by the video:

What’s the Big Idea?

Richard Dawkins, the most famous atheist in the world, created a stir when he recently declared that he was not an atheist after all, but an agnostic. The news, which came during a debate with the Archbishop of Canterbury last month, seemed at first to be a big get for God. However, in The God Delusion Dawkins was frank about his agnosticism.

So, how does Dawkins square his public persona with his lack of certitude? Easily. No matter how strongly Dawkins is associated with atheism, he is first and foremost a scientist. Therefore, “the existence of God is a scientific hypothesis like any other,” he claims.

Similarly, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson claims the title “scientist” above all other “ists.” And yet, Tyson says he is “constantly claimed by atheists.” So where does Tyson stand? He tells Big Think: “Neil deGrasse, widely claimed by atheists, is actually an agnostic.”